Innovation Attorney

Latham & Watkins; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare, life and disability insurance

Generous 401k plan

At least 11 paid holidays per year

PTO program accruing 23 days during the first year

Well-being programs

Professional development programs

Employee discounts

Job summary

A leading global law firm is seeking an Innovation Attorney to support the technology and information services team. You will play a crucial role in connecting attorneys and clients with the firm's technology systems, ensuring their needs are met effectively. This position requires a JD, at least four years of legal experience, and familiarity with LegalTech. A generous benefits package including healthcare, 401k, and paid time off is offered.

Qualifications

• Experience working with generative artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
• Capable of preparing technology presentations and training.
• Ability to foster relationships with industry organizations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a connection point between lawyers, clients, and the technology department.
• Stay updated on advancements in technology to support practice groups.
• Participate in technology-related working groups and initiatives.

Skills

Understanding of product development and management

Proficiency in MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Visio

Knowledge of LegalTech product categories

Education

JD or equivalent and admission to the relevant state bar

Minimum of four (4) years of experience as a practicing lawyer

Experience in a technology role

Job description

About Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins is a global law firm consistently ranked among the top firms in the world. The success of our firm is largely determined by our commitment to hire and develop the very best and brightest, creating a team that provides our clients with the highest quality of work and service. We are driven by our core values: respect, innovation, and collaboration.

About The Role

The Innovation Attorney is an integral part of Latham’s Technology & Information Services team. This role will be responsible for serving as a connection point and conduit between the firm’s lawyers, clients, and the Technology & Information Services Department to ensure the firm’s technology systems, tools, and services are effectively meeting the needs of Latham’s practicing attorneys and clients, while working with practice group leadership and those directly supporting the practice (e.g., Knowledge Management Lawyers, Practice Development Managers, etc.) to understand the technology needs of the firm’s lawyers and their clients at the practice group level, assisting in developing technical strategies to improve efficiency, and making recommendations for how to integrate applications and technology solutions into the practice group’s workflow. This role will be located in either our Los Angeles office in Century City, Chicago or New York office. Please note that this role may be eligible for a flexible working schedule that allows for a hybrid and in-office presence.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

• Staying abreast of advancements in generative artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies and innovative new offerings, both legal and non-legal, to ensure a state-of-the-art technology platform is available to and fully exploited by the firm’s lawyers
• Providing updates and analysis of these new technologies and industry trends to firm management and practice group leadership
• Looking for opportunities to leverage existing and emerging technologies into specific practices, as applicable, and assisting with pilot and proof of concept programs, including drafting specifications, evaluating software objectively and versus peer or incumbent products, and testing products and services
• Working with the Technology & Information Services Department management and firm leadership to make recommendations for strategic deployment of efficient processes, technology‑related policies, software tools, and other technology‑assisted solutions for Latham attorneys and clients
• Fostering strategic relationships with industry organizations, innovation thought leaders and third‑party vendors
• Assisting with communications between practicing lawyers, local technology teams, and the global technology support services group, as necessary, ensuring support efforts are being managed and resolved by the appropriate parties
• Participating in, and contributing to, various technology‑related working groups and committees as necessary, such as the Technology Committee and the Security Committee
• Communicating with the attorney population by preparing and delivering technology presentations and technology training related to strategic technology deployments and projects, collaborating with key attorneys on service initiatives, and by working with practice leadership to understand how emerging technologies can support the provision of legal services to clients
• Protecting and maintaining any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains

We’d love to hear from you if you:

• Possess the understanding of product development and management, including user personas, user stories, scoping, requirements documentation, roadmap planning, UI/UX concepts, and user testing
• Display proficiency in enterprise PC applications, including MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Visio
• Demonstrate knowledge of LegalTech product categories

And have:

• A JD or equivalent, and admission to the relevant state bar
• A minimum of four (4) years of experience as a practicing lawyer in a law firm or in a legal operations role
• Experience in a technology role, preferably

Benefits & Additional Information

• Healthcare, life and disability insurance
• A generous 401k plan
• At least 11 paid holidays per year, and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure
• Well‑being programs (e.g. mental health services, mindfulness and resiliency, medical resources, well‑being events, and more)
• Professional development programs
• Employee discounts
• Affinity groups, networks, and coalitions for lawyers and staff

Latham & Watkins is an equal opportunity employer. The Firm prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status (including veterans of the Vietnam era), gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable statute.

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Pay Range

USD $180,000.00 - USD $240,000.00 /Yr.